Initiative tackles insurance barriers for autistic children in Hong Kong

Initiative tackles insurance barriers for autistic children in Hong Kong With fears of blanket refusals hanging over families, non-profit organisation has stepped in to help secure insurance through advocacy and support Securing health insurance for her autistic son in Hong Kong proved distressing for homemaker Sarah*. The 50-year-old said she approached several insurance companies over about three months, but none could assure her that her son, now 18, would be eligible for cover because of his condition. Sarah added that the uncertainty and frustration made her hesitant to apply, fearing a rejection by a major insurer could trigger blanket refusals from others. “There are so many families in Hong Kong with children who have a developmental diagnosis like autism that are afraid to approach insurers to apply for insurance, and there were some that were rejected,” she said. To raise public awareness and improve the situation, the Hong Kong Autism Institute launched an initiative last month to support families seeking health insurance for children with the condition. The institute’s Family Advocacy Initiative aims to empower families to negotiate health insurance through case management of their applications.